Scarcity of Water: A Situation of Insufficient H2O Availability
In a concerning turn of events, several European countries and beyond are grappling with water shortages, as the summer heatwave takes its toll on already parched landscapes.
Cyprus finds itself in the eye of the storm, with water consumption reaching levels projected for 2043, driven by a rapidly growing population and increasing demand for agriculture and drinking water. The island, which faces a chronic drought problem, is now left with critically low water reserves. Authorities are responding by expanding desalination capacity, funding infrastructure upgrades, and appealing to the public to save water and protect scarce dam reserves.
England is currently experiencing the driest six months since 1976, with five regions experiencing drought, and six others enduring prolonged dry weather. Garden hosepipe bans have been recently imposed in Yorkshire due to water restrictions.
Croatia has declared several northern regions as drought disaster areas, and similar measures are being taken in neighbouring countries like Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, and Romania. Municipalities in these countries are repeatedly banning the watering of gardens, filling of pools, and washing of cars.
Turkey faces regional water stress issues, particularly in southeastern parts, due to population growth and agricultural demands. Water supply disruptions are frequent, particularly in tourist regions like Izmir and Bodrum, where the metropolitan city has reduced water supply hours until the end of August.
Greece experiences seasonal water shortages, particularly on islands and in agricultural regions during dry summers. Reservoirs in Greece are at historical lows, with reserves around Athens down by 50% compared to 2022. The government is focusing on modernizing and making water management more efficient, with new technologies like seawater desalination in the pipeline.
Iran suffers from severe droughts and overuse of groundwater resources, leading to critical water scarcity. Authorities are warning that water could run out in October in the capital, Tehran, due to dangerously low dam levels.
Spain frequently deals with drought and water shortages affecting agriculture, especially in southern and eastern regions. While Spain is not currently facing acute water shortages, local supply issues exist, such as on Mallorca, where a drought alert has been declared for the Pla region inland.
Italy faces water stress in some regions, particularly the south and during summer months, despite substantial river and groundwater resources. The north of Italy faces only minor shortages, while the situation is worsening in central and southern Italy, particularly on Sicily.
France is imposing restrictions on agriculture, banning the filling of swimming pools, and prohibiting the washing of cars and watering of public green spaces and private gardens - with the exception of vegetable gardens. Authorities in southern France are imposing water usage restrictions due to persistent drought and high temperatures.
Elsewhere in Europe, the Mediterranean island of Sardinia has a tense water situation, with the regional water system holding only half of its storage capacity by late July. Drought is also affecting Southeast Europe, causing ships to run aground and previously submerged shipwrecks to reappear on the Danube River.
A national coalition of organizations in England warns that climate change is exacerbating drought periods. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the water crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable water management and conservation practices.
- The water crisis in several European countries, such as England, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Sardinia, and even further afield in Iran, underscores the importance of environmental science and its role in addressing climate change, particularly with regard to health-and-wellness issues and the preservation of our environment.
- As environmental science uncovers the implications of climate change on water resources, health-and-wellness, and the environment, it becomes increasingly clear that the science must be prioritized to secure sustainable water management, implement conservation practices, and mitigate the effects of ongoing droughts and water shortages across the globe.
